Page 118 of 7+Us Makes Nine

“Not officially but…” I cleared my throat and scratched my ear, feeling nervous and embarrassed again. “I’ve never done anything like this before.”

“Like what? Come home late? How’s that? You were at a nightclub when we first met, for crying out loud.”

“Yeah, but my parents thought I was out with some girlfriends. With you here, there’s no hiding where I’ve been.”

Giovanni laughed, and I almost felt annoyed with him until he leaned over and kissed my cheek. “Baby, I’m going to be your husband soon. It’s not like they can really object to you being out with me, can they?”

Realizing he had a very valid point, I shook my head. “No, I guess not. Besides, they’ve been asking about you for a whole week, urging me to get to know you better.”

Gio grinned that devilish grin that always sent a rush of adrenaline through my lower stomach. “Mission accomplished then.” He wiggled his eyebrows.

I laughed and slapped his arm. “Stop that.”

“Come one,” he said, getting out of his car.

Having no other choice, I followed suit.

I pulled my key from my purse and opened the front door. Within seconds, my father appeared.

“There you are. With Giovanni, eh?” he said, but there was no malice in his voice. He smiled broadly and stretched a hand out to Gio. My nerves subsided.

“How are you this evening, sir?” Gio said.

“Evening? Looks more like night to me!”

Gio laughed. “Well, the same question stands, sir. How are you?”

“I’

m well. Thank you for bringing my little girl back in one piece.”

“No problem, sir.”

“Can I interest you in some coffee and a cigar, son?”

Son. He was already calling him son.

“I’d love to, but like I told Ari, I’ve got quite a day ahead of me tomorrow. I have some work to do with my father, so I’m going to head on home and get some rest. After a nice dinner and conversation with your daughter, it’s time for me to call it a night.”

“I see,” my father said. “Well, it was nice to see you again, Gio. Come back anytime. Like we said before, our door is always open to you.”

“Thank you so much. You have a good night,” Gio said. He then turned to me, his arms outstretched for a hug.

I swallowed, giving him a hug, but keeping it brief in front of my father, terrified that he would somehow sense the level of intimacy already between us. But thankfully, he didn’t seem to notice anything.

“See you later, Arianna,” Gio said with a playful gaze in his eyes that only I could see.

“Good night, Gio.”

As I retreated to my bedroom for the night, there was a thought dancing through my mind that just couldn’t be ignored any longer.

I was falling, and falling hard, for Giovanni Romano. There was just something about him that I found comforting regardless of the issues I’d previously had with him. Having dinner with him, rather than our random passionate hookups, had been a good idea. It had allowed me to see a whole new side to him—and it was a side that I desperately needed to see. Not only was he drop-dead-gorgeous, but he was funny, and I could tell that there really was a good heart behind that tough and cocky exterior of his.

My parents could have certainly picked worse for me, that’s for sure.

Taking a quick shower and then putting on my pajamas, I fell asleep, holding my pillow and wishing that it was Gio. I couldn’t wait for the day when I could fall asleep by his side every night, kept warm in his embrace.

CHAPTER 15

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